Nicolas Cage supports Nevada film tax credit bill

By MATT WOOLBRIGHT, Associated Press
| 3:26 p.m.May 7, 2013

CORRECTS SPELLING OF NICOLAS - Actor Nicolas Cage testified in support of a bill proposing tax incentives to filmmakers at the Legislative Building Carson City, Nev., on Tuesday, May 7, 2013. Proponents of the measure say it will bring jobs and revenue to the state. Cage's agent Michael Nilon is at left. (AP Photo/Cathleen Allison)
— AP

CORRECTS SPELLING OF NICOLAS - Actor Nicolas Cage testified in support of a bill proposing tax incentives to filmmakers at the Legislative Building Carson City, Nev., on Tuesday, May 7, 2013. Proponents of the measure say it will bring jobs and revenue to the state. Cage's agent Michael Nilon is at left. (AP Photo/Cathleen Allison)
/ AP

From left, Nevada Assemblywoman Heidi Swank, D-Las Vegas, Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman, Michael Nilon and actor Nicholas Cage talk at the Legislative Building Carson City, Nev., on Tuesday, May 7, 2013. Goodman, Nilon and Cage testified in support of a measure that would offer tax incentives to filmmakers in an effort to bring jobs and revenue to the state. (AP Photo/Cathleen Allison)— AP

+Read Caption

From left, Nevada Assemblywoman Heidi Swank, D-Las Vegas, Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman, Michael Nilon and actor Nicholas Cage talk at the Legislative Building Carson City, Nev., on Tuesday, May 7, 2013. Goodman, Nilon and Cage testified in support of a measure that would offer tax incentives to filmmakers in an effort to bring jobs and revenue to the state. (AP Photo/Cathleen Allison)
/ AP

CARSON CITY, Nev. 
A cameo by actor Nicolas Cage lent some pizazz to a hearing in the Nevada Legislature on Tuesday about a bill proposing tax incentives to entice filmmakers to the Silver State.

In a three-piece suit with slightly rumpled hair, Cage guest-starred in the Senate Finance Committee meeting as Sen. Aaron Ford, D-Las Vegas, urged his colleagues to pass the film tax legislation.

The Las Vegas resident who won an Academy Award in 1996 for "Leaving Las Vegas" also spent time advocating for film tax credits in private meetings with Gov. Brian Sandoval and lawmakers.

"Nevada is an untapped resource in terms of its natural beauty and, frankly also its style and culture," Cage told The Associated Press. "There's a magic in Nevada that applies to filmmaking in an excellent way."

Despite the allure of filming in Nevada, the failure of lawmakers to include some sort of incentive for the film industry has resulted in lost revenue as the state continues to pull out of a recession, Ford said.

"Nevada should be a top destination for films, but unfortunately we are letting other states pass us by," the freshman lawmaker told the committee.

The proposal would allow filmmakers to apply for up to $6 million in tax credits per production. If approved, the filmmaker could then sell that tax credit to another Nevada business to use as a discount on their taxes.

Each year, up to $35 million in tax credits could be distributed. Despite the lost tax revenue, supporters said the effort would boost the overall economy.

Cage said the lack of incentives is keeping him and other filmmakers from making more large-scale productions in the state.

"I have four scripts right now that could be shot in the state of Nevada," Cage told lawmakers. He added that other directors are "tired of filming in other states. They want to show something new."

The states filmed in American movies become the world's picture of the United States, and states are being chosen now based on where the incentives are, said Cage.

"I want to request we make our beautiful state the new America to the international community," Cage said.

But not everyone is singing praises of the bill. Some say the grandiose economic projections are really a fantasy that will end up costing the state.

"The tax credits are now coming under scrutiny in other states," said Carole Vilardo of the Nevada Taxpayers' Association.

News, weather, political advertisements, sporting events and other live shows would not qualify for the tax credits, but Vilardo said video games and mobile apps would be part of the law. Films would need to spend at least $500,000 in direct expenses and production costs to be eligible.

Vilardo said lawmakers may not be considering all the potential effects of the bill, which has the support of Assembly leadership and more than half the Senate.

"I got the feeling it's like a steamroller and it's going to pass," Vilardo said.